From Giant to Lilliputians: A Reflection on Nigeria’s Afro-Centric Policy in Post-Authoritarian Era

Abstract

Central to understanding the character of countries’ foreign policies are the personality traits of individuals who preside over the affairs of countries. This is even more so in Africa where institutions responsible for foreign policy making are not only weak, but are also overshadowed by the personality traits of powerful chief executives. It is against this background that this article, based on desk analysis, examines and compares the impact of leaders’ personality traits on Nigeria’s Afro-centric policy in the post-authoritarian era. Specifically, it attempts to lay bare why Nigeria’s Afro-centric policy, in post-Obasanjo era, has not enjoyed as much dynamism and vigour as it did during Obasanjo’s administration. Comparatively, it notes that President Obasanjo’s successors, Presidents Yar Adua and Jonathan, even though did not discountenance Nigeria’s age-long Afro-centric posture, but did not bring as much dynamism and aggressiveness to bear on it as did President Obasanjo. It argues that this may be unconnected majorly to these individuals’ different personality traits.